Education & Insight for Mental Health Professionals

15 Ways to “Power Down” for the Summer

As we continue to navigate social distancing and attempt to keep track of what the latest “phase” allows us to do, whatever else your plans include, my hope is that you use a good part of your summer to “power down.”

Childhood Mirrors

I’ve always believed that in childhood we see ourselves reflected through the faces and the eyes of our primary caretakers: in essence, they are our “mirrors.”

Therapists as Loving ‘Mirrors’

Learn about the clinical benefits of pausing the work, asking permission and reflecting back for the client what you hear or observe during a session.

Digital Technology Parenting and Attachment

Now more than ever with kids being homeschooled, staying in place, and more disconnected from peers and outside activities, clinicians need to ask questions about excessive video gaming and the use of digital technology. Learn how this can impact attachment and why it’s important for therapists to bring it up in therapy.

Coronavirus: Navigating Anxious Times – Coping strategies to keep your anxiety above the curve.

Understandably, these are anxious times, as information about the coronavirus spreads throughout the U.S. and the world, people are experiencing varying degrees of worry and trepidation. Anxiety is often triggered by an event or situation that is inherently stressful, or has uncertainty attached to it.

The Power of Mandalas

Learn why this expressive modality can have such a profound impact on affect regulation, while helping to keep clients in the optimum window of arousal.

Getting Through the Holidays, Fruitcake, Mistletoe, Anxiety and Stress

Even though the malls pipe in holiday cheer, lights twinkle on houses, and TV ads depict families frolicking in the show, it’s important to keep in mind this can be a time of great ambivalence and emotional overwhelm for many people.

Assessing for Family of Dysfunction Origin

In order to better understand clients’ destructive behaviors, distorted cognitions, or shame-based, negative affect, clinicians understand the importance of putting clients’ “symptoms” and struggles in a historical context. Learn three important trauma informed questions that will help to safely shed light on clients’ family-of-origin experiences.

Intellectualizations vs. Emotional Connection

Learn why many clients present trauma-based experiences with emotional detachment and the importance of not pathologizing this in treatment.

Exploring the Healing Gifts of Nature’s Garden

There is a strong body of research confirming that direct contact with nature increases mental health and psychological and spiritual development.

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Lisa Ferentz, LCSW

Lisa Ferentz, LSCW-C DAPA, is a recognized expert in the strengths-based, de-pathologized treatment of trauma and has been in private practice for over 33 years. She presents workshops and keynote addresses nationally and internationally and is a clinical consultant to practitioners and mental health agencies worldwide. She has been an Adjunct Faculty member at several Universities and is the Founder of The Ferentz Institute.

Lisa is the author of “Treating Self-Destructive Behaviors in Traumatized Clients: A Clinician’s Guide,” “Letting Go of Self-Destructive Behaviors: A Workbook of Hope and Healing,” and “Finding Your Ruby Slippers: Transformative Life Lessons From the Therapist’s Couch.” She also is a contributing writer for mental health-related blogs and websites, including Psychologytoday.com.

To learn more about Lisa, click here.

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